The ends of the honeydew provide telltale signs of maturity. A fresh and sweet-smelling aroma present at the stem end indicates ripeness; the more aromatic the scent, the sweeter the melon. A gentle probe of the end opposite the stem yields slightly and feel soft and springy when it’s ripe.
How can you tell a sweet honeydew?
It’s possible for honeydew to be ripe and sweet.
Honeydew
- Don’t pick a green honeydew; pick a white or yellow one.
- Feel the outside of the smooth rind.
- The blossom end (opposite of the stem) should give a bit when light pressure is applied.
- The whole melon should have a strong, sweet smell.
How can you tell if a melon is sweet?
It should have a subtle, sweet smell but not a strong one (that’s a sign of an over-ripe fruit). Be sure to check the melon’s color and tone. The best and sweetest cantaloupe should have golden undertones.
How can you tell when a honeydew melon is ready to eat?
Honeydew melons are similar to watermelons in that they have a dull appearance when ripe. You can tell if a honeydew or cantaloupe melon is ripe by pushing your thumb on the round section where it was attached to the vine – it will be slightly soft and smell slightly sweet.
Which honeydew melon is sweetest?
There are two main types of honeydew and they are based on color. White honeydew melons have smooth, white skin and pale, green flesh. They also have the highest sugar content so they are naturally sweeter.
How do you pick a sweet melon?
How to Pick Out a Good Melon
- Check the Weight. You want to choose a melon that feels heavy for its size.
- Look for Flaws. Some melon-skin flaws are bad—like cracks and bruises.
- Check for a Field Spot.
- Smell the Melon.
- Tap the Melon.
- Take a Break.
- Try Again.
Will a honeydew melon ripen after it is cut?
Will a honeydew melon ripen once it’s cut? Nope. Unfortunately, melons don’t ripen after they’re harvested, so what you buy is what you get.
Do melons ripen after picking?
Do melons ripen after they are picked? Once picked, melons no longer get sweeter or tastier, so it is worth seeking ones out that ripened fully on the vine. As with most fruit, melons are picked before they fully ripen to give them more time and durability for transportation to grocery stores.
Is cantaloupe same as honeydew?
Although they are closely related, they’re two different fruits. They are both sweet, but their appearance is different. Honeydew has a smooth, light-colored rind and green flesh, while cantaloupe has a darker, netted rind and orange flesh.
How long does it take a honeydew melon to ripen?
The indicators for when to begin harvesting honeydew melons are size, skin color (completely white or yellow), and smoothness, and the timing of about three months after planting. The fruit will indeed be hard and although mature, very probably not ripe.
Why does my honeydew taste like cucumber?
Fresh honeydew melon has refreshing sweetness with subtle flavor. Pleasingly soft when ripe, honeydew melon has pale green flesh that tastes a lot like a sweet, slightly musky cucumber with nectarous juice. As honeydew melons ripen, their fragrance becomes stronger and the fruit becomes sweeter.
How do you store honeydew melons?
How to store honeydew. All melons store best warm, but taste undeniably more refreshing when chilled. Honeydew melons should be stored at room temperature when whole to soften and become juicier. If it’s already quite ripe or once cut, store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Which is healthier cantaloupe or honeydew?
Nutrition. They’re almost identical in their calorie, macronutrient, and water contents, but cantaloupe has more than twice the vitamin C of honeydew and over 60% more vitamin A in the form of provitamin A carotenoids, which are precursors for vitamin A found in plant foods ( 11 , 12 ).
Is honeydew good for diabetics?
Though honeydew melon contains carbs that can raise your blood sugar temporarily, it also provides fiber and other nutrients that may help improve blood sugar control over time. Summary Regularly eating fruit, such as honeydew melon, is associated with a lower risk of diabetes and related health complications.
Is melon a laxative?
It is a cleansing fruit, helping remove impurities from the skin. Its effect on our body is alkalizing. It also has a diuretic effect, recommended in cases of kidney problems. Its mild laxative effect makes it an interesting fruit for constipation.
How do you tell if a melon is good?
“Knock” on the surface. Holding the melon in your hands, give the surface a light knock. It should have a deep hollow sound, which means the melon is ripe and juicy. Give it a Sniff.
What should I look for in a melon?
Check the skin color.
A shiny outside is an indicator of an underripe melon. Also, honeydews should be pale yellow to light lemon in color, not overly green. With melons such as cantaloupe and muskmelons, the rind underneath the net-like texture should be golden or orange in color.
Do melons ripen in the fridge?
Plus, the fridge can deplete the nutritional value in certain melons. Once cut open, you should refrigerate your melons. Honeydew, however, won’t ripen inside or outside of the fridge; it stops ripening once picked.
Can you ripen a melon in the microwave?
Exposing unripe fruit to ripe fruit increases the unripe fruit’s exposure to ethylene gas to speed up the process. Combining ethylene gas with the heat from a microwave helps kickstart the process.
How long does it take to ripen a cantaloupe in a paper bag?
two days
How Long Does It Take for a Cantaloupe to Ripen in a Paper Bag? A cantaloupe doesn’t ripen after picking, but placing in a paper bag can help improve the softness. Check after two days to see if there has been any improvement, and if not put it back in the bag and check daily until it reaches your desired texture.
How do you make honeydew taste better?
Some swear by a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice. This complements the inherent anti-flavor going on and provides a kick where there wasn’t one before. Others swear by Tajín, a spicy, lime-y seasoning that hails from Mexico.
Marilyn Medina is a food expert with over 15 years of experience in the culinary industry. She has worked in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the world, including The Ritz-Carlton and The French Laundry.
What makes Marilyn stand out from other chefs is her unique approach to cooking. She believes that food should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their budget or dietary restrictions. Her recipes are simple, delicious, and healthy – perfect for anyone who wants to cook like a pro!